B8.5 Slow and steady project

[Stickystuff]

Afternoon all, I’ve been on the forum on and off for many years. I’ve currently got a project S3 which I’m part way through and this is sort of my daily as I’ve also got a company van I use.

I thought I’d document a few things that I’ve done to it since I purchased it back in December.

It originally had the 5 spoke alloys but I came from an C6 A6 and preferred those so I swapped them over before selling the A6. Plus the tyres were in much better condition.

I also fitted a removable towbar and hide/stow away wiring with a dedicated module all programmed into the car to activate all the proper processes on the car. I had a bit of help from you guys and also on the VCDS forum for the correct programming code to make it work!

 

[Stickystuff]

I’ve also just fitted an CarPlay screen too. I didn’t realise how cheap the reversing cameras were at the time so I’ve just ordered one to fit soon. It’s a great way to connect my phone(iPhone) without the use of a cable.

The only downside is that I need to take the Speedo binnacle housing off and modify it to accept the new back plate for the screen. I’m currently driving with it off although it doesn’t affect any performance just visual.
Other than that for how much it was I’m impressed with the quality and fit.
Another thing is I had to remove the radio and heater controls… as the heater control has a sensor for temperature in it wucks air in and you can see it’s never been cleaned out so very dusty

View attachment IMG_2925.jpeg

I also had to remove the glove box in order to fit the 4G aerial and the GPS aerial. There are 2 USB connectors that I’ve put into the glove box.

Despite it being an S Line it is actually a basic spec car and doesn’t have a light in the glovebox so I’ve just run them through that slot for now. I may see if there are some sort of adapters/brackets to hold them in a better position at some point.


View attachment IMG_2947.jpeg


But I can access my songs Spotify etc and use my phone satnav as you can see and all my phone functions. Other than that the normal radio is also functional and the MMI settings are accessible.

I’m hoping to get the camera in the next week and spend a few hours fitting it. I need to figure out the best route for the cable. When I put the car into reverse it automatically blanks the screen and shows the usual green yellow red lines which also bend when I turn the steering wheel so I just need the camera now.

 

[GrizzlyS4]

I’ve got a similar android setup in my B8. Heat gun on the rear plastic or gentle pressure took the black backing off that the original screen was housed behind. If you’re leaving it there and not removing when you sell it’s simple enough.

I’ve had my reverse camera ready to go for a well but I haven’t got round to running the wires.

 

[Stickystuff]

Grizzly, What did you do about the Chrome trim? that looks to be coming off with the original screen panel. It's all loose, but on mine I also need to remove the backing from around the dial binnacle and then refit that, they are separate panels but there is a section that is melted holding them together.
I've contacted someone too see if they can scan the original and the new one and see if they can 3D print me a combination so it all clicks in properly, they haven't come back to me yet though.

I feel like it will just vibrate when I put it together as it just sits on the screen panel and doesn't secure. Have you got any photos of how you fitted yours?

 

[GrizzlyS4]

I believe in the b8 there two separate trim panel at each side of the main dash binnacle.

Once I had the main trim piece which was sliver and the black housing attached which had the original screen in off I loaded them popped the black backing off.

From there the metal cage to fit the new one went on and bolted/screwed into the original screen holes, followed by the original silver trim piece that I had separated from the black housing. Then the new black plastic backing plate for the android screen clamped it all in place. Before I connected the screen.

I don’t have any pictures of me fitting as I only tend to take after shots it’s always a second thought and I never seem to do it in the moment.

This might help you out though:


View: https://youtu.be/0S5CctGAxSM?si=FaSC_bSkQUMFlFci

 

[Stickystuff]

Ah interesting, thank you, I watched another video they did on a Q5 and they removed the original trim, where as on this one it looks like it goes over the old trim.

I will have a go at fitting it back in tonight and seeing if it will fit over the original. My B8.5 doesn't have a split trim like the one in the video, it goes all the way across the speedo and radio etc.

Thanks for the video should make it easier to figure out now without removing things

 

[GrizzlyS4]

View attachment IMG_9337.jpeg

That’s it sat over the original trim in my car.

 

[Stickystuff]

I went to fit it last night but my super glue had dried up. I managed to find some model plastic cement but it doesn’t dry quickly. I’m going to try and fit it all back up today. I thought that I had to take the original screen panel off so started to split it down.

 

[Stickystuff]

Managed to get the Car play screen fitted in and with the binnacle panel fitted too. I stuck some foam to the back of the module so that when it sat over the original panel it didn’t squeak. It works well and is very sold but allows a bit of flex. I found that without the original panel on it wobbled a bit.

Also I’ve been collecting parts for my BBK. It’s certainly not necessary but I tow once in a while and with a loaded trailer I don’t feel the brakes are that great.

The rear calipers won’t fit my car so I have also bought some B8 s4 brakes including discs and pads so will sell the B9 rear calipers.
I’ve been looking into it and supposedly the b8 RS4/5 discs have the same offset but are 9mm larger. I’m tempted to get some and see if I can fit slightly larger spacers on the calipers and hope that they fit under my 18s. I’ve found a set of front and rear on eBay so would look pretty cool if I can get them to work.

 

[Stickystuff]

I managed to get some time on the car Friday evening to test out the brake calipers. I managed to pick up some 2nd hand RS4 discs for pretty cheap although I’ve realised they are all left hand side discs if I got with the vein orientation. They need a good clean up but for what I paid I can’t complain. There is life in them. Even the rear is larger than the existing front.
View attachment IMG_3570.jpeg

I managed to split the calipers from the brackets so that I could remove some of the necessary material from the hub to get the bracket to fit.

I fitted up the RS4 disc and stuck the caliper over at approx the right distance, I used a clothe to try and give the right air gap between the disc and caliper. Looks like I need 25mm spacers which is twice that of the 256mm disc using 12mm adapters.
View attachment IMG_3574.jpeg
The only issue with the RS4 discs is that the braking surface is quite small and the pads over lap the edges. I can get around this by adding a chamfer to the upper and lower edges.

The best thing of all is it fits under my 18inch wheels, I will need a spacer 10-15mm to clear the spokes but it all fits.
View attachment IMG_3575.jpeg

 

[Stickystuff]

I spent a little time on the calipers tonight and fitted up the spacers with some new 100mm high tensile bolts. It all tightens down nicely so will see if I can get some time on it over the next few weeks to test fit on the car with the spacers. View attachment IMG_3615.jpeg

I need to clean up the discs as they have a reasonably heavy rust line around them but as they have a good thickness to them I should have to remove too much material before they are suitable for use.

 

[BenJee_S3]

Love the braking upgrade, would love to do this to mine at some point! Looks very snug under the 18's! Have you got any more plans for it?

 

[Stickystuff]

Thanks, annoying that the photos don't load on the page and viewed as links.
But yes, once I have got everything together it will look great. I have everything to fit them other than brake hoses... I'm thinking I'd prefer to change to Braided hoses rather than use the originals but they will work for now I might have to wait another month for those. I want to paint them though as I think the yellow is a bit loud... Although I do kind of like it at the same time. I managed to fit my reversing camera this weekend and got the wiring taped to the factory through into the offside rear compartment. I just need to run the cable to the front and also connect the power to the reversing light but its quite subtle which is nice. and the handle works just like the factory.

 

[Stickystuff]

 

[Stickystuff]

Got a few hours on the car today, I decided to fit the brakes rather than wire up the camera as I don often get time on it and my wife’s car was written off so she’s using it whilst the insurance goes through.
I trimmed the back plate got everything bolted up and even used the original brake pad sensor

I fitted 15 mm spacers to clear the caliper but there is only an 3-4mm gap between the caliper and wheel rim Plus it looks pretty awesome with a little bit of camber.

 

[Stickystuff]

I managed another couple of hours on the car yesterday afternoon and got the rear brakes fitted along with some 20mm spacers for the wheels. Which I think really set it of. I also found my nearside rear wheel bearing needs replacing. I’ve had a grumble for a while but only with the rear disc off could I hear it properly.
anyway some photos, I think I will run these for a while and then look at refurbishing them when I need to change the pads maybe over the winter. The front calipers came with half worn yellow stuff pads and the rears came with some half worn Brembo pads. They need to bed themselves to the discs as they are a little grooved but still got plenty of life in them.

No spacer fitted

And then with spacer fitted pretty nice stance!

You can see through the wheel too. I’m not sure about the yellow of the calipers so might change them to black a little less over stated

 

[Stickystuff]

I think I’m on a roll, I managed to sneak out to the car this evening and got started on the rest of the wiring for the reversing camera. I had to connect the camera power up to the reverse light, and as it’s a saloon and the wiring goes up the offside and moves with the boot hinge so I had to add some extra in. Not so many photos this evening but took the boot inner panel off to run the cable down along with the main harness. I’ve tucked it wrapped up for now as I need to get some more time to get the inner panels off to get to the dash.

 

[Stickystuff]

So After all that effort, I have managed to find an S4 that I like so this will be up for sale. I will be leaving the Carplay module in but the Brakes will be coming off.

I'm based near Reading if anyone is interested.

Mot till December, it was serviced and MOT'd by the garage I purchased it from. I've only done around 4-5K since I bought it I will check tonight be mileage is around 165500 miles.